New Health and social care website rolled out

A HEALTH and social care information website has been rolled out to GP practices.

Doctors hope the Services4me website, being displayed on touch-screen units, will allow patients to take more control over their own lives.

Online service: From left, Kim Hall, practice manager, Marian Matthews, Services4me project officer, and Sarah Avery, transforming care communications project manager. Submitted pictures
Here to help: Sarah Avery, transforming care communications project manager, Susan Collis, practice manager, Dr Menon and Pam Wilson, practice nurse, at the Chantry Health Group, Church View Health Centre, Cartergate. Submitted picture
A helping hand: From left, Dr Nathalie Dukes, John Noton, business manager, Sarah Avery, transforming care communications project manager, Marian Matthews, Services4me project officer, and Mercedes Mello-Jenkins at the Freshney Green Primary Care Practice. Submitted picture
'A great asset': From left, Dr Peter Melton, Jean Keyworth, a volunteer for Patients Participation Group, and Carol Ranyard, information officer, at the Pilgrim/Roxton Primary Care Practice, Pelham Road, Immingham. Submitted picture

The service is now up and running at the Raj Medical Centre, Laceby Road, Grimsby; Chantry Health Group, Church View Health Centre, Cartergate; Freshney Green Primary Care Practice, Sorrel Road, Grimsby; and Pilgrim/Roxton Primary Care Practice, Pelham Road, Immingham.

It can be used by everyone both inside a GP practice or at home, providing people with a range of options while having a greater choice and control over what they require to meet personal needs.

Health experts believe this service will benefit many patients who can become more independent when dealing with their health.

Susan Collis, practice manager at the Chantry Health Group, said: "It is good for our surgery users not only to be able to access services that they need, for example health, social care or transport, but also to be able to browse for the fun stuff available in and around Grimsby."

Dr Nathalie Dukes, of Freshney Green Primary Care Practice, welcomes the introduction of Services4me in Freshney Green.

She said: "The website is long overdue for our area. Both patients and professionals can now find out what help and services are available in North East Lincolnshire on a wide range of health and social care related subjects. Services4me empowers individuals to take more control over the own lives."

Information officer Carol Ranyard, of the Pilgrim and Roxton Primary Care Practice, said: "The Roxton Practice and Pilgrim Primary Care Centre users have close links with the community and host many of the outside health agencies within the waiting room."

"Our patient group is very active within the waiting room and are currently helping patients to use the new Services4Me.

"I see it as a great asset to our patients and other users. Carers and family members can also access this service on behalf of relatives."

The website will have information relating to housing options, how to keep healthy, home care services, transport and leisure, benefits, caring, work and much more.

Sarah Avery, Care Trust Plus transforming care communications manager, said: "Services4me aims to give people who need help and support the tools they need to be more independent and as far as possible, control their own care.

"With Services4me in the practices, the public can self-access information and advice in a range of areas.

"We will be running Services4me surgeries to show people how to use the website and help with information searching.

"We aim to expand Services4me into other local community venues and GP Practices within the near future."

Access the site at www.services4.me.uk